Reset your Pc not working «Insert Media Some files are missing. Your windows installation or recovery medial will provide these files»

I am trying to use «Reset Your PC». After the computer thinks about it for a while it comes up with this error: «Insert Media Some files are missing. Your windows installation or recovery medial will provide these files» Then there is a «Cancel» button. and that is all that I can do.

I have two hard drives. One that has windows on it and windows programs. A second hard drive that has all my other programs on it. I install a third hard drive, and when I did it changed the volume letter of my second hard drive. I have followed the steps to change my volume drive back to the orignal letter, but that letter is not an option on the drop down menu. When I put the hard drive that has had the volume letter change into another computer it comes up as the correct volume letter drive:

So. I need to run my programs. I tried to re-install or un-install a few key programs, but I get an error that it can’t uninstall, and it can’t install because it first tries to uninstall. (example I get the error message «Errror «Program name» is not a valid short file name» and then it cancels the un-install when I hit the «ok» button.

I decided to just re-install windows and start fresh, but now I get this new error. «Insert Media Some files are missing. Your windows installation or recovery medial will provide these files»

My version of windows 8 Pro comes from an upgrade of windows 7, I was only given a key in my e-mail with No link to download any software.

I do not have an optical drive.

How do re-install a clean version of windows 8 with this error message?

«Insert Media Some files are missing. Your windows installation or recovery medial will provide these files» Windows 8.1 pro Windows 8 can’t reset (SOLVED)

***For those of you who know exactly what you are doing and just are looking for a simple windows 8 download link and already know all of the alternative options out there here is the download link for windows 8 : Go to this link (Microsoft’s site.) http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only (Microsoft official link) Always double check though!

***For those who need guidance and full information on how to re-install when 8.1 pro will not let you, then please read on. While my post is not complicated it is long, but will ensure you success in what you are wanting to do.

Post for people who need guidance:

*** LONG post. I will repeat things multiple times, mainly so that it sinks in with you as to what you are wanting to do, and to ensure that you do not mess up. Honestly tho it’s pretty straight forward. Instructions are listed at the top half of the thread if you just want to hop into it. Read the full posting if you do not know your issue very well. The point in this thread was to keep something like this as simple as possible. Posts are typically miss-leading or way too complicated.

WHY you are here. 1.) You want to CLEAN reinstall windows 8.1 pro or go back to windows 8

2.) You have found that windows 8.1pro will not let you wipe out your drives and reinstall due to «missing media files insert disk to find them»

3.) You want to reinstall windows 8.1 pro again and wipe your drives due to a virus or a trojan. (As of right now for the digital group, we have to install windows 8 first and go from there.) This will be done two times seeing as the file deleted by win 8.1 pro will only be recovered after we install windows 8 the first time. That being said, if you need your drives wiped out because of malware you can perform a full clean installation with windows 8 only. Do not upgrade to 8.1 pro after you download windows 8 the first time if this is why you need to reinstall. You still have use Windows 8 option to full re-install wiping your drives that windows 8.1 pro does not offer. In a nut shell, once you download the first time you simply got the recovery file that was deleted by 8.1 back to do your official re-installation that you are seeking to do. Therefore you will download windows 8 with my link to the microsoft downloads then reinstall again using your windows 8 that you just downloaded. More instructions on that when you get there.

Quick summary HIGHLIGHTS so far:

*I found a simple and easy method of doing this. If you are looking to just go back to windows 8 because you do not like windows 8.1 pro and ARE NOT wanting to wipe out your harddrive due to unwanted malware then this is perfect for you too and will not have to complete any further instructions after the first download of windows 8.*

*If you are wanting to clean wipe your drives simply due to a virus or malware and want to start fresh, then this is your best solution as well. You will have to upgrade again to windows 8.1 pro but honestly with the lack of options out there other than buying the 100 dollar cd/dvd to get the missing file or to download enterprise, I feel this is the best and easiest method to do. It’s so simple and I honestly can’t believe I have no found any other threads out there on how to do this. Maybe there are some, but I sure as heck couldn’t find any.

SO here’s the instructions! (All of this is official off the Microsoft site, so it’s legit.) APPLIES ONLY to those who have a product key for windows 8. Which is most everyone since 8.1 is a free update.)
INSTRUCTIONS for your clean reinstall :

Getting that missing media file back to wipe out and clean install :

1.) Go to this link (Microsoft’s site.) http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-product-key-only
2.) Click to download Windows 8 (Just like the first time you bought it digitally)
3.)Once downloaded, have your product Key ready. Enter your product key.
4.) Continue installation choose the option it gives (which should be the only option, seeing as this isn’t a full clean reinstall this is just to get back to windows 8 with that missing file.)
5.) Go through the typical Windows 8 download process , set up all of your stuff like you did your first time installing, pretty straight forward.

6.)Once the process is complete and you have windows 8 up and running and are logged onto whatever account you use; you are now able to start the true Clean / wipe out everything and start from scratch process. (Steps 1-5 was required to get that missing file back, it didn’t wipe out your drives, youll notice your settings are mostly the same, and your files are all still there. So IF YOU do have a virus/malware that means its still sneaking around in there some where, so NOW let’s do the real wipe out installation WINDOWS 8 has to offer you.)

7.) If you followed all of the steps up to this point and haven’t had any issues, then you should be sitting on Windows 8 now. Go to settings (Move cursor to bottom right of screen) click settings, go to Change PC settings.
8.) Click General tab
9.) Select the option (REMOVE EVERYTHING and reinstall Windows)
10.) The walk through is basic and straight forward, except this time it’s normal and allows you to wipe out your drives completely by either wiping out the drive that windows is installed on or you can select to wipe out all devices. (If you have a virus/malware i would suggest just wiping everything out.)

11.) Follow through the instructions, straight forward. Windows will walk you through it, and do it on it’s own. Have your product key ready again just incase.

After these steps you are now back at windows 8 with fresh drives, any virus or malware is now gone. All media, pictures and files have been deleted and you now have a fresh copy of your OS. If you want to stay with windows 8 you are done. If you want to go back to 8.1 pro because you were trying to get rid of a virus, simply update to 8.1 pro then you are good to go.

If Microsoft didn’t have this issue we could just clean install from 8.1 and be done with it. Sadly as of now they do not have a quick fix, so this method is the way to go. Takes a little time, but is much faster than the ISO Enterprise option with no risks at all. If there are better threads out there, I couldn’t find them. Hope this helps someone out there just trying to get their OS cleaned.

I felt I would post this due to lack of posts out there on the web to this major problem which I found a lot of people can’t find a simple solution to until Microsoft patches this issue. Read the description / post fully to understand what I mean. Multiple threads pop up on google about this issue and for this particular case it’s a frustrating one. So if you are here, then we fall into the «Digital purchase» group. Digital purchase is nice tho, I will explain why. So all of these threads I found relating to our group and our problem is the «file missing can’t reinstall» and none of them gave me a simple fix. There are threads out there though that will fix the problem, but it just takes too long especially if you don’t know your way around a computer and mostly they are just too complicated.

Some of the methods these threads post, for example, http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/1183043-caution-you-may-lose-resetrefresh-if-you-upgrade-to-windows-81/

discusses how you can recover the missing file by installing Enterprise instead. This is just ridiculous. Sadly this is one of the most published answers to this problem. Sure it will work, but there are risks and too much time taken away for something that is so simple..

The MAJOR RISK with the enterprise route is the chance that you will ruin your retail key. » Warning. The following tutorial may result in your OS being converted to an Enterprise Evaluation upon a successful system reset/restore. The Enterprise edition cannot be activated with consumer licenses.»

THIS WARNING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MY SOLUTION. APPLIES TO THE ENTERPRISE METHOD

Now that is a pretty scarey warning for me to be reading on a tutorial that is supposed to fix my problem. Last thing I need is to screw up what kind of license I have. So I do not believe I would go this route and cannot believe so many people post to do this. (Maybe I am just too paranoid but I always seek the fastest ( in reason ) and safest most efficient route to a problem. Then you will find other threads such as these which all work but again.. too much going on, too complicated.

(These are OTHER threads on ways to solve this. Posting this just for your information on the other types of solutions out there.)

(AGAIN these are just links to other solutions. Use them if you feel it is a better option for you.)

I wanted an easy number list thread on how to do this until microsoft fixes it on their own.

DESCRIPTION/INFO on the issue:
I am wanting to reinstall windows 8.1 pro because I had a Trojan/malware and wanted to start fresh to take no chances. In order to do this I had come up with this solution. THIS applies to all who have purchased and downloaded windows 8 digitally and do not have the media cd’s. If you have a windows 8 product key and have updated to 8.1 pro you might have found out that Windows 8.1 Pro free update from Windows 8 has made it so that you cannot refresh/clean reinstall windows by wiping out your drives. The reason this is, is because during the windows 8.1 pro update, 8.1 removes the the reinstall file (media file) required for a full and clean windows reinstallation. Therefore if you originally had windows 8 you could always reinstall windows from scratch, but now that you are on windows 8.1 you will find that when you try to do this it will pop up with a message that says «Missing media files required to reinstall, please insert media disks to find these files»

Well this is a major issue for those of us who do not have these install CD’s due to buying from Microsofts site and received a product key digitally through email. I was stuck trying to wipe everything and reinstall for days. I searched multiple threads and could not find anything. Some threads have a solution, but honestly it isn’t a good one. They suggest you download Enterprise free trial to recover that missing file and reinstall that way. I tried it, and the download is way too long, then I found out that it can mess with your product key a require you to upgrade to enterprise from other threads. (Don’t know how true that is, but REGARDLESS. The download is way too long.)

Thanks and enjoy
-Blueeguardian

Getting an error «‘Some files are missing. Your windows installation or recovery media will provide these files» while resetting my computer.

* Original Title: Problem resetting windows to factory settings.

Hi I really need help as i cant find it anywhere else, im trying to reset my laptop, i go in to settings and all that and click on get started and i get this error »Some files are missing. Your windows installation or recovery media will provide these files.» any help will be much apriciated thanks.

Replies (5) 

I understand the inconvenience caused to you.

Please be assured that I will do my best to help you fix this issue.

I would appreciate it if you could let us know why you want to reset the computer to factory setting to help you fix the issues if you have any.

If you really want to reset the computer, then you need to have a Windows 8 disc.

Here are the steps to refresh the computer:

a) Insert the Windows 8 disc in the DVD ROM and restart your computer.
b) A black screen appears with gray text «Press any key to boot from CD or DVD«. Press any key.
c) Select the correct time and Keyboard type.
d) Click Repair your computer in the lower left corner.
e) Select Troubleshoot from Choose an option screen.
f) Click on Reset your PC option.
g) Follow the onscreen instructions to perform Reset the computer.

For more information, refer to the link.

Note: The apps that came with your PC or you installed from Windows Store will be reinstalled, but any apps you installed from other websites and DVDs will be removed. Windows puts a list of the removed apps on your desktop after refreshing your PC.

Note: Make sure you take a backup of the important data if you are doing a reset.

If the issue persists, you need to contact the manufacturer of the computer for further assistance.

Hope this information helps. If you have any further questions on Windows, please let us know.

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I have the same issue, namely files missing.

I went through all the steps you have described. After thinking about it for a while, the computer came back with this message; «The drive where Windows is installed is locked. Unlock the drive and try again.»

How can I unlock the drive.

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I would have you follow the suggestions provided by phanlon7 on October 12, 2013 and check if it helps.

Disclaimer: Using Third Party Software, including hardware drivers can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Third Party Software can be solved. Using Third Party Software is at your own risk.

Note : Modifying BIOS/complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the configuring of BIOS/CMOS settings can be solved. Modifications of the settings are at your own risk.

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I did all the things that Shanlon suggested, ie

Here’s what I done to unlock:

I booted from the win 8 DVD

Went into a command prompt and ran a few bootrec commands:

I then went back into the win 8 auto repair and it seemed to work.

fixmbr and fixboot both reported success

rebuildBCD also finished and reported finding an operating system on drive D:

Add to bootlist also seemed to complete successfully, but it still would not repair or refresh the drive.

From the dos prompt, it appears that the 100 Meg system partition has been renamed as C: and C: has been renamed to D:.

I found some logfiles and one of them, SrtTrail.txt seems to suggest that because the C: drive has been changed to D:, that could be the cause. It is only 5 KB so i will copy it here.

Startup Repair diagnosis and repair log
—————————
Number of repair attempts: 1

Session details
—————————
System Disk = \Device\Harddisk0
Windows directory = D:\Windows
AutoChk Run = 0
Number of root causes = 9

Test Performed:
—————————
Name: Check for updates
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0 ms

Test Performed:
—————————
Name: System disk test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0 ms

Test Performed:
—————————
Name: Disk failure diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0 ms

Test Performed:
—————————
Name: Disk metadata test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 16 ms

Test Performed:
—————————
Name: Target OS test
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0 ms

Test Performed:
—————————
Name: Volume content check
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 109 ms

Test Performed:
—————————
Name: Boot manager diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0 ms

Test Performed:
—————————
Name: System boot log diagnosis
Result: Completed successfully. Error code = 0x0
Time taken = 0 ms

Root cause found:
—————————
Boot manager failed to find OS loader.

Repair action: File repair
Result: Failed. Error code = 0x490
Time taken = 1797 ms

Repair action: Boot configuration data store repair
Result: Failed. Error code = 0x490
Time taken = 0 ms

Root cause found:
—————————
Boot manager failed to find OS loader.

Root cause found:
—————————
Boot manager failed to find OS loader.

Root cause found:
—————————
Boot manager failed to find OS loader.

Root cause found:
—————————
Boot manager failed to find OS loader.

Root cause found:
—————————
Boot manager failed to find OS loader.

Root cause found:
—————————
Boot manager failed to find OS loader.

Root cause found:
—————————
Boot manager failed to find OS loader.

Boot manager generic failure 0xc000000e

Root cause found:
—————————
Boot manager failed to find OS loader.

How can I remove the C: from the system partition and change D: to C:?

And the bios settings has been reset to default.